2019 Wards 10 Best Engines Quick Hits

BMW

Electric propulsion system 33-kWh (BMW i3s EV)+ Battery range of up to 153 miles and lots of fun to drive– Range falls about 100 miles short of lesser-priced competitors= Much improved since 2014 launch and 2017 upgrade

2.0L turbo (B48) I-4 302 hp (BMW X2)+ 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds; BMW’s most powerful 2.0L– Got lost in the mix this year, like many turbo-4 engines= Great to see 101 hp/liter in 5-passenger lux CUV

3.0L (B58) turbo I-6 335 hp (BMW X5)+ Significant upgrades over B58 tested last year in X3– Efficiency suffers in vehicle this big = Reminds us of good times in M240i a few years ago

3.0L (S55) turbo I-6 410 hp (BMW M2 Competition)+ Spools up fast, with nasty exhaust snarl but zero vibration– Not an ideal daily driver= A blast if you can handle 6,000 rpm all the time

Ford

3.0L Power Stroke diesel V-6 250 hp (Ford F-150)+ Don’t be fooled by meager hp – note 440 lb.-ft. of torque– Hard to be optimistic about diesel’s future= How often do you see 26 mpg in a fullsize pickup?

5.0L V-8 480 hp (Ford Mustang GT/Bullitt)+ 19 mpg with a foot on its throat all day– Sadly, an endangered species= Electrification is taking hold, but this V-8 is irresistible

2.0L turbo I-4 306 hp (Honda Civic Type R)+ Just as titillating as last year, with 28 mpg– Niche powertrain that could use AWD= If only this were 11 Best Engines

Hyundai

Fuel Cell/Permanent Magnet Motor 135 kW (Hyundai Nexo)+ Innovative 3-tank system makes for 380-mile range– If only hydrogen stations were on every corner…= Three FCVs have made our list – two from Hyundai

Single Motor Electric Propulsion System 150 kW (Kona EV) + Neck-snapping power and torque– Fair amount of road and wind noise= With 258 miles of range, this EV is worth buying